Elizabeth O'Leary

Elizabeth Mary O'Leary, 88, of Rye Brook, New York, formerly of Purchase, New York
November 25th, 1937 – January 11th, 2026
It is with deep love that we remember the passing of Elizabeth Mary "Betty" O'Leary. She departed peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, leaving behind a legacy of warmth, kindness, and unwavering love that will continue to guide us.
Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Betty embodied the spirit of a native New Yorker. She approached every chapter of her life with relentless effort, always grounded in faith, family, and friends.
Following the passing of her father at an early age and her graduation from St. Francis Xavier High School, she entered the workforce with AT&T. It was not long before she joined her mother, Mary Newbauer, at Newbauer Realty, where she found her true professional calling.
The legacy of Newbauer Realty lived on until it was acquired by ERA in 2015. Along the way, Betty helped thousands of families find and establish beautiful homes of their own. She loved her interactions with clients and colleagues, but most of all, she loved her family.
Betty married John O'Leary in April of 1963, and together they raised their children, Jacqueline (Gary) and Michael (Kathleen), in Purchase, New York. She had the joy of spending many years with her grandchildren and, more recently, witnessing the birth and Christening of her great-grandson, Jake. Betty adored her sister Frances Murphy and brother in-law, Bob. She was a loving aunt to Susan Gilmore and Daniel Murphy.
Betty cherished her daughter-in-law, Kathleen O'Leary, with whom she developed a deep friendship and shared many cherished moments.
Lovingly referred to as "El Capo" by her brother-in-law, Betty was not only the boss of her real estate office but, in many ways, the boss of her family as well. She was a dedicated wife and mother whose never-ending support of her children was simply a given. Known for her directness, one never had to wonder what her opinion was on any matter, yet her honesty always came from a place of love and a deep desire to protect her people.
Her most cherished role was that of Nanny to her grandchildren: Michelle Rapkowski (Damian), Jennifer Cummaro, Jack O'Leary, Caroline O'Leary, and Meghan O'Leary, and to her great-grandson, Jake Rapkowski. Her love for them was endless. From Florida vacations, city excursions, countless shopping trips, and ferocious Monopoly games, she was always up for fun and ready for adventure. She was their forever cheerleader, and her long-standing/often-heard mantra, "Just have fun," will stay with her family forever.
Elizabeth is predeceased by her husband John, parents, George and Mary (née Devine) Newbauer, as well as her beloved sister, Theresa Murphy, brother-in-law Robert Murphy and nephew Daniel Murphy.
In lieu of flowers, gifts to can be made to support cancer research at NYU Langone Health's Perlmutter Cancer Center via www.nyulangone.org/give On the "Remembering a Loved One" page, please note that your gift is made in memory of Elizabeth O'Leary.